"We just found out last night that on the New York Times Best-Seller List of March the 30th, Rush Revere and the First Patriots will open at number one, and Rush Revere and the Brave Pilgrims moves up to number four," he said, according to a transcript.

"How about that, Stick-to-the-Issues Crowd? We're gonna have two books in the New York Times Best-Seller List at the same time at slots one and four."

Limbaugh’s book landed at the number five spot on the New York Times best seller’s list for the week of March 23, CNN reported.

But Limbaugh's selection caused a stir on social media, CNN noted.

In response, the Children's Book Council posted a letter on its website and Facebook page addressing the flak – without mentioning Limbaugh's name.

"The Author of the Year and Illustrator of the Year finalists are determined solely based on titles’ performances on the bestseller lists – all titles in those categories are listed as a result of this protocol," it said.

"Some of you have voiced concerns over the selection of finalists from bestseller lists, which you feel are potentially-manipulable indications of the success of a title. We can take this into consideration going forward, but cannot change our procedure for selecting finalists after the fact."

The book council noted it will be children who vote in all six book awards categories May 14.

"This program has never been about CBC or [Every Child A Reader] endorsing finalists," the organization added. "It has always been about CBC and ECAR endorsing young readers and giving them a choice and a voice on a national scale."